Over 1,000 incarcerated individuals are fighting wildfires in Los Angeles, risking their lives to save others amid devastating conditions.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation reported that 1,015 incarcerated people were on the frontlines as of Tuesday. They’re dressed in orange uniforms, using hand tools to create fire lines and clear away flammable materials near structures.
Among them are young adults aged 18 to 25, with 55 of them deployed as of Monday. The Anti-Recidivism Coalition is even fundraising to support these young firefighters. California is one of 14 states with such programs, where inmates train as first responders in fire camps.
These jobs are voluntary and highly sought after. They offer a chance to escape the usual prison routine, gain valuable skills, and even shorten sentences. But there’s a catch. Incarcerated firefighters earn between $5.80 and $10.24 a day, plus an extra dollar an hour during emergencies. Some are working 24-hour shifts, which can boost their pay to around $30 a day.
Former participants have mixed feelings. While they appreciate the chance to work outside, they also face tough conditions and low pay. Many find it hard to secure similar jobs after their release.
Rasheed Stanley-Lockheart, who worked at a firehouse in San Quentin, recalls the stark contrast to prison life. He enjoyed better food and living conditions but later felt the work was more like involuntary servitude. He did the same job as regular firefighters but earned just about $50 a month.
He believes that if they’re risking their lives, they should be paid fairly. California voters recently had a chance to change this with Proposition 6, which aimed to ban involuntary servitude for prisoners, but it was rejected.
The state has relied on incarcerated firefighters for years, sometimes making up 30% of the wildfire response teams. However, many struggle to find work in firefighting after serving their time.
Laquisha Johnson, who served in a fire camp, faced rejection when she applied for firefighting jobs after her release. Despite her training and experience, her past made it hard to get hired. She described the work as rewarding but acknowledged the low pay made it tough to make ends meet.
In 2019, wages were increased, and a new law was signed to help incarcerated firefighters find jobs after release. But many still face barriers. Johnson is now advocating for others and hopes to get her record expunged to pursue firefighting again.
Royal Ramey, another former firefighter, co-founded a program to help connect people like him to jobs in firefighting. He emphasizes the need for diversity in the field and believes everyone deserves a chance.
The Anti-Recidivism Coalition is also working to bridge the gap, offering training programs to help formerly incarcerated individuals find jobs. Eddie Herrera Jr. went through such a program and is now working as a firefighter, a far cry from the $50 a month he used to earn.
He’s grateful for the opportunities and hopes that the current wildfires will lead to more chances for others. Herrera’s journey shows that with belief in oneself and support from the community, redemption is possible.
